Flying Sim/Fighter PC games?

Aside from Sega Genesis and Flight Simulator on Win95, the only flying game I've played is H.A.W.X. on PS3 and I actually *loved* it (which is weird since most/all of Tom Clancy games almost go straight to the budget shelf). I didn't play H.A.W.X. 2 because it had some pretty angry reviews about how the first one was better (blah blah blah). I really enjoyed the leveling/ranking up online of H.A.W.X. but the player base dwindled fast, so now I'm looking for a game that works with PC that has a good player base that continues to grow or at least hold. I'm basically looking for something better than H.A.W.X. 2, because if I can't beat that, I'll just blow $30 on that and (hopefully) not regret it.

Also, if you know any neat/fun flight simulator games out there I'd greatly appreciate a recommendation there as well. I remember how impossible it was to fly a helicopter in Flight Simulator with the joystick we had (but it was still entertaining).

 

Try out the new Microsoft Flight. A lot of people, even hardcore simmers, say it's very fun little game. And it's "free" (if you'll want more, you'll still have to buy additional content).

 

There is an "official flight sim thread" on here. http://forum.notebookreview.com/gaming-software-graphics-cards/204469-official-flightsim-thread.html

You might be able to find a few Flight sims/games that you might like in there.

I haven't played hawx 1 0r 2 because they didn't really look realistic enough for me. I prefer sims like Falcon 4.0.

 

Sadly I remember looking at MS Flight and didn't download it for some reason. Downloading it now! The size of it alone is a good sign of large amounts of eye candy.

 

I wasn't really looking for *realistic* for a flying fighter game. H.A.W.X. was fun for me because it was pretty over-the-top with what you could do, so you were only limited by your "skill" (I hate hearing this word when it comes to video games...). I found the multiplayer to be pretty faceroll from the start (but in a good way), the game just clicked with me and I was able to do very well on the leaderboards (something that doesn't typically happen for me on multiplayer games!).

 

Rise of Flight (a WWI combat flight sim) has scaleable realism and it has a multiplayer component. I haven't searched online so I don't know how easy it is to find multiplayer games with lower realism levels.

Rise of Flight - Multiplayer Dogfight HD - YouTube

You can get the Iron Cross Edition (which has about six flyable planes) for about $30 as a download off Amazon. You can ultimately change dozens of other planes from "AI-only" to flyable by buying them from the rise of flight store. Or you could just stick with one of the six...I've fallen for the Albatross DVa, for example.

 

Well, Hawx and Hawx 2 are too arcade like and Rise of Flight is too hard to play because maybe it's too realistic. I never was able to shoot down an enemy in Rise of Flight. My best experience with Flight combat was with Dynamix's Red Baron [1992?] and MS Flight Combat Simulator [2000?]. I wish MS would come out with a new updated MS Flight Combat Simulator.

Bought A10C Warthog but haven't played it. Didn't play Cliffs of Dover much yet too. I should try these games more before buying the new JASF.

 

for me wings of prey, a ww2 flight sim, could be played as a real sim and can be played a little more arcadey depending on settings. id say it fits right in the middle of rise of flight and hawx. could be the type of game youre looking for.

 

I've tried 4 times installing Microsoft Flight via different links and installing through Games for Windows Live, I get the same error right after the splash screen every time:

 

Wings of Prey was the WORST Flight SIM I ever bought! $30 and I'm restricted to 3 to 5 installs! I'd BOYCOTT and TORRENT this game to protest such activation practices. And then when I tried to play the game my Spitfire was unflyable / always going into a turn stall and crashing into the ground. I don't know why it does this, I think it just stinks in their flight models.

dsottum - maybe you're having problems because you use an SSD.

 

if you need more activations just email the developer and he gives you more keys. ive reinstalled it many times.

youre stalling because your turning too hard. probably hitting the ailerons and tail at the same time. its accurate. but you can always tone it down by choosing more comfortable settings.

 

I fixed my MS Flight install by just retrying the install and download multiple times. One time it gave 2 error messages saying it installed incorrectly so I told it to reinstall using recommended settings in both of the windows that popped up, and then it worked like a charm. I've been having loads of fun but it does feel more "arcade-like" than the old Flight Simulator 95, but works very well for using a mouse and not having a joystick.

 

MS Flight is nice since its free, but just too limited for me to really enjoy.

A WSGF editor did a detailed report for Aerofly FS and I took a look at it and it looks pretty amazing graphically and has more variety of planes. Has fast movers and gliders and propeller planes.

Also another free game (in closed beta but accepting applications) is world of warplanes. Its the sister game to world of tanks. So it should be pretty good and I feel much more entertaining than the slow moving tank game

I hope to get HAWX and HAWX2 both when they have some kind of uber steam sale. HAWX1 is supposed to be a good game and HAWX2 just looks really amazing but I do not think has the same great ratings as far as gameplay.

 

Unacceptable. You should not have to ask the developer for permission to play something you paid them for.

That being said, I purchased WoP on a Steam sale way back before I knew of this requirement, and I have not been able to play it yet because I cannot get it to work with my 360 controller.

 

I bought WoP and the Expansion on Steam as well. I only installed it once but I recently read on the Steam forums that the developer has done away with the activations. I'm not sure but you could check it out to see if that's the case.

One flight game I would recommend is Namco's Ace Combat series. It's like HAWX but much better and more polished.

 

As long as we're on the subject, do you have any idea how to make it work with the 360 controller? I've read that it's supposed to natively support it, but I can't get any input to register. This controller works perfectly with other games.

 

I haven't played WoP in awhile but I always used the 360 controller (Windows 7) when playing that game. I would go into options and make sure the controller is selected for game play.

 

Played WOP and it worked somewhat ok with a 360 controller; but I prefer a Saitek joystick.

Right now Air Conflicts: Secret Wars is on sale at Greenman Gaming for $8.74. I already have it on Steam and in arcade mode it plays ok like a nice arcade game, better than WOP maybe.

Air Conflicts: Secret Wars | Action | PC Games

 

The last good Space-Fighter sim i played was Freelancer. It was excellent..

Amazon.com: Freelancer (Jewel Case): Video Games

 

I agree it's excellent, but it's hardly a sim. But you know what is? WCIV baby! Just released on GOG. DVD version too!

 

Thats awesome! Thanks!